UPDATE, 6:53: Lots of pre-game talk so a bit late getting back upstairs. In short, Rays manager Joe Maddon said there will be no lingering feelings about Monday's blown call, that "for me and for us it's over with,'' and that he had great respect for umpire Marty Foster not only admitting he got the call wrong but then for calling Maddon to apologize ... RHP Jeff Niemann said he felt he had no choice but to have surgery on his shoulder (scheduled for Wednesday) and the recovery time is 9-12 months. Niemann said prepping to pitch out of the bullpen where he had to be ready every day made it worse as he could manage his shoulder better as a starter with more time in between outings. ... Luke Scott took batting practice on the field and ran lightly and said he feels he is close to returning from his right calf strain but has to pass through several more stages, including running the bases and then a minor-league rehab assignment he hopes to start by the end of this road trip. ... One change in the lineup, struggling SS Yunel Escobar - hitting .120 - was dropped from 6th to seventh, behind Shelley Duncan.

DEVELOPING: The day after the frustrating - and admittedly wrong - call by home plate umpire Marty Foster that ended Monday's game will continue to be a topic of discussion today as the Rays take on the Rangers at 8:05.

Roberto Hernandez will be on the mound for the Rays against Rangers rookie Nick Tepesch, who made the team out of spring training despite not pitching above Double-A.

Manager Joe Maddon said the Rays hitters will be told to be patient at the plate, and maybe even a but cautious on the bases as he wants them to make sure not to give the 24-year-old Tepesch any free outs and make him earn what he gets.

Also today, RHP Jeff Niemann is expected to speak for the first time about his decision to have shoulder surgery that likely will end his season.

About the blog

The Tampa Bay Rays will head into the 2015 season with Evan Longoria, Chris Archer, Alex Cobb and plenty of new faces, including manager Kevin Cash. Can they upend the Orioles in the highly competitive AL East? Come here to follow Rays news at Tropicana Field and beyond.